N-CSRS 1 d730333dncsrs.htm GAMCO INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND GAMCO International Growth Fund

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number            811-08560                    

                             GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.                            

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

One Corporate Center

                         Rye, New York 10580-1422                        

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Bruce N. Alpert

Gabelli Funds, LLC

One Corporate Center

                         Rye, New York 10580-1422                        

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  1-800-422-3554

Date of fiscal year end:  December 31

Date of reporting period:  June 30, 2014

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

 

Semiannual Report — June 30, 2014

   LOGO
  
   Caesar M. P. Bryan
   Portfolio Manager

To Our Shareholders,

For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the net asset value (“NAV”) per Class AAA Share of the GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc. increased 3.7% compared with an increase of 4.8% for the Morgan Stanley Capital International (“MSCI”) Europe, Australasia, and the Far East (“EAFE”) Index. See below for additional performance information.

Enclosed are the schedule of investments and financial statements as of June 30, 2014.

 

Comparative Results

    Average Annual Returns through June 30, 2014 (a) (Unaudited)    Since     
         Six Months    1 Year      5 Year      10 Year     Inception
(6/30/95)
  

Class AAA (GIGRX)

       3.73%    17.73%    12.91%    6.92%    7.33%   

MSCI EAFE Index

       4.78       23.57       11.77       6.93       5.69      

Lipper International Large-Cap Growth Fund Classification

       3.51       19.69       11.50       7.61       7.20      

Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Fund Classification

       3.16       20.25       11.80       6.73       6.53      

Class A (GAIGX)

       3.74       17.70       12.92       6.96       7.43      

With sales charge (b)

       (2.22)      10.93       11.59       6.33       7.09      

Class C (GCIGX)

       3.34       16.89       12.08       6.14       6.71      

With contingent deferred sales charge (c)

       2.34       15.89       12.08       6.14       6.71      

Class I (GIIGX)

       3.88       18.04       13.21       7.11       7.43      

In the current prospectuses dated April 30, 2014, the expense ratios for Class AAA, A, C, and I Shares are 2.24%, 2.24%, 2.99%, and 1.99%, respectively. See page 8 for the expense ratios for the six months ended June 30, 2014. Class AAA and Class I Shares do not have a sales charge. The maximum sales charge for Class A Shares and Class C Shares is 5.75% and 1.00%, respectively.

  

(a)

 

Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in share price, reinvestment of distributions, and are net of expenses. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are redeemed, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data presented. Visit www.gabelli.com for performance information as of the most recent month end. The Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on shares sold or exchanged within seven days after the date of purchase. Performance returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The prospectuses contain information about these and other matters and should be read carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus please visit our website at www.gabelli.com. Investing in foreign securities involves risks not ordinarily associated with investments in domestic issues, including currency fluctuation, economic, and political risks. The Class AAA Share NAVs are used to calculate performance for the periods prior to the issuance of Class A Shares, Class C Shares, and Class I Shares on July 25, 2001, December 17, 2000, and January 11, 2008, respectively. The actual performance of the Class A Shares and Class C Shares would have been lower due to the additional fees and expenses associated with these classes of shares. The actual performance of the Class I Shares would have been higher due to lower expenses related to this class of shares. The MSCI EAFE Index is an unmanaged indicator of international stock market performance, while the Lipper International Large-Cap Growth Fund Classification and the Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Fund Classification reflect the average performance of mutual funds classified in these particular categories. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index.

  

(b)

 

Performance results include the effect of the maximum 5.75% sales charge at the beginning of the period.

  

(c)

 

Assuming payment of the 1% maximum contingent deferred sales charge imposed on redemptions made within one year of purchase.

  


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.   
Disclosure of Fund Expenses (Unaudited)   
For the Six Month Period from January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014    Expense Table

 

 

We believe it is important for you to understand the impact of fees and expenses regarding your investment. All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of a fund, you incur ongoing costs, which include costs for portfolio management, administrative services, and shareholder reports (like this one), among others. Operating expenses, which are deducted from a fund’s gross income, directly reduce the investment return of a fund. When a fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets, this figure is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period.

The Expense Table below illustrates your Fund’s costs in two ways:

Actual Fund Return: This section provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use this section to help you to estimate the actual expenses that you paid over the period after any fee waivers and expense reimbursements. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return during the past six months, and the “Expenses Paid During Period” shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. You may use this information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period.

To do so, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number given for your Fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid during this period.

Hypothetical 5% Return: This section provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio. It assumes a hypothetical annualized return of 5% before expenses during the period shown. In this case – because the hypothetical return used is not the Fund’s actual return – the results do not apply to your investment and you cannot use the hypothetical account value and expense to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. This example is useful in making comparisons of the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees, if any, which are described in the Prospectus. If these costs were applied to your account, your costs would be higher. Therefore, the 5% hypothetical return is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.

 

    Beginning
Account Value
01/01/14
    Ending
Account Value
06/30/14
    Annualized
Expense
Ratio
    Expenses
Paid During
Period*
 
GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.           

Actual Fund Return

  

   

Class AAA

    $1,000.00        $1,037.30        2.17%        $10.96     

Class A

    $1,000.00        $1,037.40        2.17%        $10.96     

Class C

    $1,000.00        $1,033.40        2.92%        $14.72     

Class I

    $1,000.00        $1,038.80        1.92%        $  9.71     

Hypothetical 5% Return

  

   

Class AAA

    $1,000.00        $1,014.03        2.17%        $10.84     

Class A

    $1,000.00        $1,014.03        2.17%        $10.84     

Class C

    $1,000.00        $1,010.31        2.92%        $14.55     

Class I

    $1,000.00        $1,015.27        1.92%        $  9.59     

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the last six months multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (181 days), then divided by 365.

 

 

2


Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)

The following table presents portfolio holdings as a percent of net assets as of June 30, 2014:

GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

 

Consumer Staples

     22.4

Consumer Discretionary

     18.5

Industrials

     14.7

Health Care

     11.5

Materials

     11.1

Financials

     8.7

Energy

     6.2

Information Technology

     4.4

Telecommunication Services

     2.1

Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)

     0.4
  

 

 

 
     100.0%   
  

 

 

 
 

 

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Shareholders may obtain this information at www.gabelli.com or by calling the Fund at 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554). The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

Proxy Voting

The Fund files Form N-PX with its complete proxy voting record for the twelve months ended June 30, no later than August 31 of each year. A description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies, procedures, and how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by (i) calling 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554); (ii) writing to The Gabelli Funds at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422; or (iii) visiting the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

 

3


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

Schedule of Investments — June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

 

  Shares          Cost    

Market

Value

 
  COMMON STOCKS — 99.5%   
  CONSUMER STAPLES — 22.4%   
  8,000     

Associated British Foods plc

   $ 243,639      $ 417,442   
  9,000     

British American Tobacco plc

     225,291        535,700   
  9,000     

Chr Hansen Holding A/S

     337,100        379,019   
  4,500     

Danone SA

     290,710        334,219   
  26,700     

Diageo plc

     290,528        852,653   
  3,000     

FamilyMart Co. Ltd.

     139,258        129,263   
  5,000     

Heineken NV

     238,725        358,962   
  3,300     

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

     282,412        332,124   
  17,300     

Japan Tobacco Inc.

     487,912        630,659   
  2,500     

L’Oreal SA

     268,794        430,816   
  10,600     

Nestlé SA

     534,539        821,177   
  3,000     

Pernod Ricard SA

     97,551        360,263   
  9,000     

Shiseido Co. Ltd.

     169,834        164,089   
  7,000     

Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

     217,224        215,932   
  8,000     

Unicharm Corp.

     372,206        476,739   
  7,604     

Wesfarmers Ltd.

     258,602        300,001   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL CONSUMER STAPLES

     4,454,325        6,739,058   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 18.4%   
  8,100     

Accor SA

     247,273        421,360   
  3,500     

Christian Dior SA

     251,990        696,358   
  11,000     

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

     189,113        1,154,206   
  1,400     

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

     257,675        460,609   
  104,000     

Genting Berhad

     346,327        323,563   
  6,000     

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

     237,884        209,486   
  10,000     

Liberty Global plc, Cl. C†

     361,047        423,100   
  7,300     

Naspers Ltd., Cl. N

     363,607        859,389   
  28,000     

Rakuten Inc.

     308,292        361,798   
  5,500     

The Swatch Group AG

     318,241        610,904   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY

     2,881,449        5,520,773   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  INDUSTRIALS — 14.7%     
  30,624     

CNH Industrial NV

     238,117        312,977   
  3,600     

FANUC Corp.

     365,783        620,818   
  12,700     

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

     481,424        753,237   
  20,500     

Komatsu Ltd.

     481,471        475,949   
  25,000     

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

     415,087        400,770   
  11,000     

Nabtesco Corp.

     222,566        243,226   
  8,300     

Park24 Co. Ltd.

     151,671        150,916   
  20,000     

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

     384,323        365,895   
  2,680,000     

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, Cl. C†(a)

     4,497        4,586   
  2,900     

SMC Corp.

     388,386        776,062   
  7,100     

The Weir Group plc

     200,533        318,231   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL INDUSTRIALS

       3,333,858          4,422,667   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  HEALTH CARE — 11.5%   
  5,000     

Bayer AG

     322,323        706,217   
  9,300     

Novartis AG

     441,363        842,118   
  Shares         Cost    

Market

Value

 
  7,500     

Novo Nordisk A/S, Cl. B

  $ 266,515      $ 345,189   
  3,900     

Roche Holding AG, Genusschein

    508,422        1,163,227   
  23,400     

Smith & Nephew plc

    222,443        416,084   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL HEALTH CARE

    1,761,066        3,472,835   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  MATERIALS — 11.1%   
  6,850     

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.

    378,553        262,355   
  2,200     

Air Liquide SA

    252,368        297,029   
  13,110     

BHP Billiton plc

    422,723        423,935   
  116,815     

Glencore Xstrata plc

    431,046        650,827   
  13,700     

Newcrest Mining Ltd.†

    478,527        137,137   
  14,925     

Rio Tinto plc

    525,035        793,989   
  6,000     

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

    340,739        364,720   
  1,075     

Syngenta AG

    335,425        400,397   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL MATERIALS

    3,164,416        3,330,389   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

FINANCIALS — 8.7%

  

  20,000     

Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd.

    233,061        354,820   
  49,600     

Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.

    256,675        330,832   
  23,000     

Kinnevik Investment AB, Cl. B

    475,975        980,371   
  9,000     

Prudential plc

    202,918        206,548   
  9,200     

Schroders plc

    206,137        394,565   
  114,700     

Swire Properties Ltd.

    274,295        335,203   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL FINANCIALS

    1,649,061        2,602,339   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  ENERGY — 6.2%   
  19,000     

BG Group plc

    402,986        401,578   
  25,600     

BP plc

    188,543        225,586   
  3,400     

Imperial Oil Ltd.

    142,111        179,169   
  4,000     

Schlumberger Ltd.

    312,248        471,800   
  10,100     

Statoil ASA, ADR

    257,093        311,383   
  19,000     

Tullow Oil plc

    338,464        277,528   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL ENERGY

    1,641,445        1,867,044   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY — 4.4%

  

  1,800     

Keyence Corp.

    282,796        785,262   
  1,600     

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    149,061        149,742   
  85,000     

Yahoo! Japan Corp.

    326,505        392,676   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

    758,362        1,327,680   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES — 2.1%   
  4,000     

SoftBank Corp.

    305,364        297,833   
  14,000     

Vivendi SA

    350,042        342,571   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES

    655,406        640,404   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS

     20,299,388         29,923,189   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

4


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

 

                Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
  WARRANTS — 0.1%    
  CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 0.1%     
  26,000     

Genting Berhad,
expire 12/18/18†

  $ 12,000      $ 23,239   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.6%

   $ 20,311,388        29,946,428   
   

 

 

   
   

 

 

   
 

Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) — 0.4%

  

    111,239   
     

 

 

 
  NET ASSETS — 100.0%       $30,057,667   
     

 

 

 

 

(a)

At June 30, 2014, the Fund held an investment in a restricted and illiquid security amounting to $4,586 or 0.02% of net assets, which was valued under methods approved by the Board of Directors as follows:

 

Acquisition
Shares

 

Issuer

  Acquisition
Date
  Acquisition
Cost
  06/30/14
Carrying
Value
Per Share
 
2,680,000  

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, Cl. C

  04/23/14   $4,497     $0.0017   

 

Non-income producing security.

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

Geographic Diversification    %of
Market
Value
 

Market

Value

Europe

       61.1 %       $18,309,133  

Japan

       24.4         7,306,550  

Asia/Pacific

       8.5         2,558,032  

North America

       3.1         913,324  

South Africa

           2.9                859,389  
       100.0 %       $29,946,428  
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

5


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets:

 

Investments, at value (cost $20,311,388)

  $ 29,946,428   

Cash

    73,908   

Receivable for investments sold

    284,862   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    975   

Dividends receivable

    119,170   

Prepaid expenses

    37,169   
 

 

 

 

Total Assets

    30,462,512   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    11,231   

Payable for investments purchased

    300,731   

Payable for investment advisory fees

    24,669   

Payable for distribution fees

    5,899   

Payable for shareholder communications expenses

    25,960   

Other accrued expenses

    36,355   
 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

    404,845   
 

 

 

 

Net Assets
(applicable to 1,255,857 shares outstanding)

  $ 30,057,667   
 

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 19,729,819   

Accumulated net investment income

    43,129   

Accumulated net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions

    647,026   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

    9,635,040   

Net unrealized appreciation on foreign currency translations

    2,653   
 

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 30,057,667      
 

 

 

 

Shares of Capital Stock, each at $0.001 par value:

 

Class AAA:

 

Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($25,305,555 ÷ 1,056,962 shares outstanding; 375,000,000 shares authorized)

  $ 23.94   
 

 

 

 

Class A:

 

Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($915,470 ÷ 37,547 shares outstanding; 250,000,000 shares authorized)

  $ 24.38   
 

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share (NAV ÷ 0.9425, based on maximum sales charge of 5.75% of the offering price)

  $ 25.87   
 

 

 

 

Class C:

 

Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($626,839 ÷ 28,148 shares outstanding; 125,000,000 shares authorized)

  $ 22.27 (a) 
 

 

 

 

Class I:

 

Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($3,209,803 ÷ 133,200 shares outstanding; 125,000,000 shares authorized)

  $ 24.10   
 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Redemption price varies based on the length of time held.

 

Statement of Operations

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Investment Income:

  

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $16,089)

   $ 421,408   

Interest

     29   
  

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

     421,437   
  

 

 

 

Expenses:

  

Investment advisory fees

     145,585   

Distribution fees - Class AAA

     30,911   

Distribution fees - Class A

     1,047   

Distribution fees - Class C

     2,761   

Custodian fees

     28,187   

Registration expenses

     22,400   

Shareholder communications expenses

     21,827   

Legal and audit fees

     19,006   

Shareholder services fees

     8,953   

Directors’ fees

     8,430   

Interest expense

     477   

Miscellaneous expenses

     25,371   
  

 

 

 

Total Expenses

     314,955   
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

     106,482   
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments and Foreign Currency:

  

Net realized gain on investments

     588,841   

Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions

     (342
  

 

 

 

Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions

     588,499   
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation:

  

on investments

     390,692   

on foreign currency translations

     238   
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations

     390,930   
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments and Foreign Currency

     979,429   
  

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 1,085,911   
  

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

6


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(Unaudited)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2013

Operations:

        

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 106,482       $ (24,443 )

Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions

       588,499         1,603,142  

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency translations

       390,930         1,714,931  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

       1,085,911         3,293,630  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

        

Net realized gain

        

Class AAA

               (1,263,009 )

Class A

               (37,198 )

Class C

               (22,901 )

Class I

               (138,295 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

               (1,461,403 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions:

        

Class AAA

       (1,502,403 )       (2,469,626 )

Class A

       108,681         262,829  

Class C

       162,659         (17,123 )

Class I

       154,510         525,434  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions

       (1,076,553 )       (1,698,486 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets

       9,358         133,741  

Net Assets:

        

Beginning of year

       30,048,309         29,914,568  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $43,129 and $0, respectively)

     $ 30,057,667       $ 30,048,309  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

7


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

Financial Highlights

 

Selected data for a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Income (Loss)
from Investment Operations
   Distributions                   Ratios to Average Net Assets/
Supplemental Data

       Year

      Ended

December 31

  

Net Asset

Value,

Beginning

of Year

  

Net

Investment

Income

(Loss)(a)

  

Net

Realized

and

Unrealized

Gain (Loss)

on

Investments

  

Total from

Investment

Operations

  

Net

Investment

Income

  

Net

Realized

Gain on

Investments

  

Return

of

Capital

 

Total

Distributions

  

Redemption

Fees(a)(b)

  

Net Asset

Value,

End of

Period

  

Total

Return†

  

Net Assets

End

of Period

(in 000’s)

  

Net

Investment

Income

(Loss)

  

Operating

Expenses

  

Portfolio

Turnover

Rate

Class AAA

                                                                         

2014(c)

       $23.08        $ 0.08              $ 0.78          $ 0.86            —            —            —           —            —           $23.94          3.7%         $ 25,306          0.71%(d)            2.17%(d)           6%    

2013

       21.66          (0.02)               2.62            2.60            —            $(1.18)           —           $(1.18)           —           23.08          12.1              25,898          (0.09)                  2.24                   13       

2012

       20.05          0.15                3.32            3.47          $ (0.19)           (1.67)           —           (1.86)           $0.00           21.66          17.4              26,740          0.68                   2.14                   15       

2011

       22.59          (0.03)               (2.22)           (2.25)           (0.02)           (0.26)         $ (0.01)          (0.29)           0.00           20.05          10.0              40,182          (0.12)                  2.10                   12       

2010

       19.39          (0.06)               3.78            3.72            —            (0.52)           —           (0.52)           —           22.59          19.2              29,666          (0.30)                  2.38                   14       

2009

       14.12          0.03                5.34            5.37            (0.09)           —            (0.01)          (0.10)           0.00           19.39          38.0              27,628          0.17                   2.44                   13       

Class A

                                                                         

2014(c)

       $23.50        $ 0.10              $ 0.78          $ 0.88            —            —            —           —            —           $24.38          3.7%         $ 915          0.82%(d)            2.17%(d)           6%    

2013

       22.04          (0.04)               2.68            2.64            —            $(1.18)           —           $(1.18)           —           23.50          12.1              775          (0.17)                  2.24                   13       

2012

       20.37          0.11                3.43            3.54          $ (0.20)           (1.67)           —           (1.87)           $0.00           22.04          17.5              473          0.50                   2.14                   15       

2011

       22.93          (0.02)               (2.26)           (2.28)           (0.02)           (0.26)         $ (0.00) (b)       (0.28)           0.00           20.37          (9.9)             334          (0.10)                  2.10                   12       

2010

       19.68          (0.06)               3.83            3.77            —            (0.52)           —           (0.52)           —           22.93          19.1              282          (0.30)                  2.38                   14       

2009

       14.33          0.02                5.43            5.45            (0.09)           —            (0.01)          (0.10)           0.00           19.68          38.1              241          0.10                   2.44                   13       

Class C

                                                                         

2014(c)

       $21.55        $ 0.00(b)          $ 0.72          $ 0.72            —            —            —           —            —           $22.27          3.3%         $ 627          0.04%(d)           2.92%(d)           6%    

2013

       20.44          (0.17)               2.46            2.29            —            $(1.18)           —           $(1.18)           —           21.55          11.3              442          (0.82)                  2.99                   13       

2012

       19.07          (0.05)               3.20            3.15          $ (0.11)           (1.67)           —           (1.78)           $0.00           20.44          16.6              435          (0.23)                  2.89                   15       

2011

       21.63          (0.22)               (2.08)           (2.30)           —            (0.26)           —           (0.26)           0.00           19.07          (10.6)             173          (1.10)                  2.85                   12       

2010

       18.73          (0.21)               3.63            3.42            —            (0.52)           —           (0.52)           —           21.63          18.2              27          (1.08)                  3.13                   14       

2009

       13.67          (0.08)               5.14            5.06            —            —            —           —            0.00           18.73          37.0              16          (0.50)                  3.19                   13       

Class I

                                                                         

2014(c)

       $23.20        $ 0.11              $ 0.79          $ 0.90            —            —            —           —            —           $24.10          3.9%         $ 3,210          0.99%(d)           1.92%(d)           6%    

2013

       21.71          0.03                2.64            2.67            —            $(1.18)           —           $(1.18)           —           23.20          12.4              2,933          0.13                   1.99                   13      

2012

       20.10          0.17                3.37            3.54          $ (0.26)           (1.67)           —           (1.93)           $0.00           21.71          17.7              2,267          0.77                   1.89                   15      

2011

       22.62          0.05                (2.24)           (2.19)           (0.05)           (0.26)         $ (0.02)          (0.33)           0.00           20.10          (9.7)             1,405          0.23                   1.85                   12      

2010

       19.37          (0.01)               3.78            3.77            —            (0.52)           —           (0.52)           —           22.62          19.4              1,508          (0.07)                  2.13                   14      

2009

       14.10          0.07                5.34            5.41            (0.13)           —            (0.01)          (0.14)           0.00           19.37          38.4              1,167          0.46                   2.19                   13      

 

   †

Total return represents aggregate total return of a hypothetical $1,000 investment at the beginning of the year and sold at the end of the period including reinvestment of distributions and does not reflect applicable sales charges. Total return for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

(a)

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

(b)

Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(c)

For the six months ended June 30, 2014, unaudited.

(d)

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

8


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1. Organization. GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc. was incorporated on May 25, 1994 in Maryland. The Fund is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s primary objective is long term capital appreciation. The Fund commenced investment operations on June 30, 1995.

2. Significant Accounting Policies. The Fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), which may require the use of management estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.

Security Valuation. Portfolio securities listed or traded on a nationally recognized securities exchange or traded in the U.S. over-the-counter market for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the last quoted sale price or a market’s official closing price as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. If there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the average of the closing bid and asked prices or, if there were no asked prices quoted on that day, then the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. If no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day, the security is valued at the most recently available price or, if the Board of Directors (the “Board”) so determines, by such other method as the Board shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market value. Portfolio securities traded on more than one national securities exchange or market are valued according to the broadest and most representative market, as determined by Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Adviser”).

Portfolio securities primarily traded on a foreign market are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on the relevant market, but may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board if market conditions change significantly after the close of the foreign market, but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. Debt instruments with remaining maturities of sixty days or less that are not credit impaired are valued at amortized cost, unless the Board determines such amount does not reflect the securities’ fair value, in which case these securities will be fair valued as determined by the Board. Debt instruments having a maturity greater than sixty days for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the average of the latest bid and asked prices. If there were no asked prices quoted on such day, the security is valued using the closing bid price. U.S. government obligations with maturities greater than sixty days are normally valued using a model that incorporates market observable data such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, and reference data. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations.

Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued as determined by the Board. Fair valuation methodologies and procedures may include, but are not limited to: analysis and review of available financial and non-financial information about the company; comparisons with the valuation and changes in valuation of similar securities, including a comparison of foreign securities with the equivalent U.S. dollar value American Depositary Receipt securities at the close of the U.S. exchange; and evaluation of any other information that could be indicative of the value of the security.

The Fund employs a fair value model to adjust prices to reflect events affecting the values of certain portfolio securities, which occur between the close of trading on the principal market for such securities (foreign exchanges

 

9


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

and over-the-counter markets) at the time when net asset values of the Fund are determined. If the Fund’s valuation committee believes that a particular event would materially affect net asset value, further adjustment is considered.

The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

   

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities;

   

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); and

   

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Board’s determinations as to the fair value of investments).

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input both individually and in the aggregate that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The summary of the Fund’s investments in securities by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2014 is as follows:

     Valuation Inputs         
     Level 1
Quoted Prices
   Level 2 Other Significant
Observable Inputs
   Level 3 Significant
Unobservable Inputs
   Total Market Value
at 6/30/14
   

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:

                     

ASSETS (Market Value):

                     

Common Stocks:

                     

Materials

     $ 3,193,252        $ 137,137                 $ 3,330,389    

Industrials

       4,418,081                 $ 4,586          4,422,667    

Other Industries (a)

       22,170,133                            22,170,133      

Total Common Stocks

       29,781,466          137,137          4,586          29,923,189      

Warrants

       23,239                            23,239      

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS

     $ 29,804,705        $ 137,137        $ 4,586        $ 29,946,428      

 

(a)

Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for the industry classifications of these portfolio holdings.

The Fund did not have transfers among Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 during the period ended June 30, 2014. The Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers among Levels as of the beginning of the reporting period.

Additional Information to Evaluate Qualitative Information.

General. The Fund uses recognized industry pricing services – approved by the Board and unaffiliated with the Adviser – to value most of its securities, and uses broker quotes provided by market makers of securities not valued by these and other recognized pricing sources. Several different pricing feeds are received to value domestic equity securities, international equity securities, preferred equity securities, and fixed income securities. The data within these feeds is ultimately sourced from major stock exchanges and trading systems where these securities trade. The prices supplied by external sources are checked by obtaining quotations or actual transaction prices from market participants. If a price obtained from the pricing source is deemed unreliable, prices will be sought from another pricing service or from a broker/dealer that trades that security or similar securities.

 

10


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Fair Valuation. Fair valued securities may be common and preferred equities, warrants, options, rights, and fixed income obligations. Where appropriate, Level 3 securities are those for which market quotations are not available, such as securities not traded for several days, or for which current bids are not available, or which are restricted as to transfer. Among the factors to be considered to fair value a security are recent prices of comparable securities that are publicly traded, reliable prices of securities not publicly traded, the use of valuation models, current analyst reports, valuing the income or cash flow of the issuer, or cost if the preceding factors do not apply. A significant change in the unobservable inputs could result in a lower or higher value in Level 3 securities. The circumstances of Level 3 securities are frequently monitored to determine if fair valuation measures continue to apply.

The Adviser reports quarterly to the Board the results of the application of fair valuation policies and procedures. These include back testing the prices realized in subsequent trades of these fair valued securities to fair values previously recognized.

Foreign Currency Translations. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, investments, and other assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income, and expenses are translated at the exchange rate prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Unrealized gains and losses that result from changes in foreign exchange rates and/or changes in market prices of securities have been included in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations. Net realized foreign currency gains and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates include foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on investment securities transactions, foreign currency transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of the Fund and the amounts actually received. The portion of foreign currency gains and losses related to fluctuation in exchange rates between the initial purchase trade date and subsequent sale trade date is included in realized gain/(loss) on investments.

Foreign Securities. The Fund may directly purchase securities of foreign issuers. Investing in securities of foreign issuers involves special risks not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. issuers. The risks include possible revaluation of currencies, the inability to repatriate funds, less complete financial information about companies, and possible future adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities of many foreign issuers and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of securities of comparable U.S. issuers.

Foreign Taxes. The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes on income, gains on investments, or currency repatriation, a portion of which may be recoverable. The Fund will accrue such taxes and recoveries as applicable, based upon its current interpretation of tax rules and regulations that exist in the markets in which it invests.

Securities Transactions and Investment Income. Securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date with realized gain/(loss) on investments determined by using the identified cost method. Interest income (including amortization of premium and accretion of discount) is recorded on the accrual basis. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized using the effective yield to maturity method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities that are recorded as soon after the ex-dividend date as the Fund becomes aware of such dividends.

 

11


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Determination of Net Asset Value and Calculation of Expenses. Certain administrative expenses are common to, and allocated among, various affiliated funds. Such allocations are made on the basis of each fund’s average net assets or other criteria directly affecting the expenses as determined by the Adviser pursuant to procedures established by the Board.

In calculating NAV per share of each class, investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, redemption fees, and expenses other than class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of each day. Distribution expenses are borne solely by the class incurring the expense.

Custodian Fee Credits. When cash balances are maintained in the custody account, the Fund receives credits which are used to offset custodian fees. The gross expenses paid under the custody arrangement are included in custodian fees in the Statement of Operations with the corresponding expense offset, if any, shown as “Custodian fee credits.”

Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to shareholders are based on income and capital gains as determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from income and capital gains as determined under GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities and foreign currency transactions held by the Fund, timing differences, and differing characterizations of distributions made by the Fund. Distributions from net investment income for federal income tax purposes include net realized gains on foreign currency transactions. These book/tax differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent, adjustments are made to the appropriate capital accounts in the period when the differences arise. These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund.

The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended December 31, 2013 was as follows:

Distributions paid from:

  

Ordinary income (inclusive of short term capital gains)

   $ 94,418   

Net long term capital gains

     1,366,985   
  

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

   $ 1,461,403   
  

 

 

 

Provision for Income Taxes. The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). It is the policy of the Fund to comply with the requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its net investment company taxable income and net capital gains. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund is permitted to carry forward for an unlimited period capital losses incurred. As a result of the rule, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short term or long term capital losses.

The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related net unrealized appreciation at June 30, 2014:

     Cost        Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
       Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
       Net
Unrealized
Appreciation

Investments

   $20,311,542      $10,277,189      $(642,303)      $9,634,886

 

12


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

The Fund is required to evaluate tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Income tax and related interest and penalties would be recognized by the Fund as tax expense in the Statement of Operations if the tax positions were deemed not to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Fund did not incur any income tax, interest, or penalties. As of June 30, 2014, the Adviser has reviewed all open tax years and concluded that there was no impact to the Fund’s net assets or results of operations. The Fund’s federal and state tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open, subject to examination. On an ongoing basis, the Adviser will monitor the Fund’s tax positions to determine if adjustments to this conclusion are necessary.

3. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions. The Fund has entered into an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser which provides that the Fund will pay the Adviser a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 1.00% of the value of its average daily net assets. In accordance with the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio, oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs, and pays the compensation of all Officers and Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Adviser.

The Fund pays each Director who is not considered to be an affiliated person an annual retainer of $1,000 plus $500 for each Board meeting attended and they are reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. All Board committee members receive $500 per meeting attended. The Chairman of the Audit Committee and the Lead Director each receive an annual fee of $1,000. A Director may receive a single meeting fee, allocated among the participating funds, for attending certain meetings held on behalf of multiple funds. Directors who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund.

4. Distribution Plan. The Fund’s Board has adopted a distribution plan (the “Plan”) for each class of shares, except for Class I Shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Class AAA, Class A, and Class C Share Plans, payments are authorized to G.distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), an affiliate of the Adviser, at annual rates of 0.25%, 0.25%, and 1.00%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of those classes, the annual limitations under each Plan. Such payments are accrued daily and paid monthly.

5. Portfolio Securities. Purchases and sales of securities during the six months ended June 30, 2014, other than short term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $1,878,570 and $2,854,782, respectively.

6. Transactions with Affiliates. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Distributor retained a total of $292 from investors representing commissions (sales charges and underwriting fees) on sales and redemptions of Fund shares.

 

13


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

7. Line of Credit. The Fund participates in an unsecured line of credit of up to $75,000,000 under which it may borrow up to 10% of its net assets from the custodian for temporary borrowing purposes. Borrowings under this arrangement bear interest at the higher of the sum of the overnight LIBOR rate plus 100 basis points or the sum of the federal funds rate plus 100 basis points at the time of borrowing. This amount, if any, would be included in “interest expense” in the Statement of Operations. At June 30, 2014, there were no borrowings outstanding under the line of credit.

The average daily amount of borrowings outstanding under the line of credit during the six months ended June 30, 2014 was $56,039, with a weighted average interest rate of 1.11%. The maximum amount borrowed at any time during the year was $703,000.

8. Capital Stock. The Fund offers four classes of shares – Class AAA Shares, Class A Shares, Class C Shares, and Class I Shares. Class AAA Shares are offered without a sales charge only to investors who acquire them directly from the Distributor, through selected broker/dealers, or the transfer agent. Class I Shares are offered without a sales charge, solely to certain institutions, directly through the Distributor or brokers that have entered into selling agreements specifically with respect to Class I Shares. Class A Shares are subject to a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%. Class C Shares are subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge for one year after purchase.

The Fund imposes a redemption fee of 2.00% on all classes of shares that are redeemed or exchanged on or before the seventh day after the date of a purchase. The redemption fee is deducted from the proceeds otherwise payable to the redeeming shareholders and is retained by the Fund as an increase in paid-in capital. The redemption fees retained by the Fund during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and year ended December 31, 2013, if any, can be found in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets under Redemption Fees.

 

14


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Transactions in shares of capital stock were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
(Unaudited)
       Year Ended
December 31, 2013
 
     Shares     Amount        Shares     Amount  

Class AAA

           

Shares sold

     24,961      $ 572,495           60,526      $ 1,370,162   

Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions

                      50,402        1,143,111   

Shares redeemed

     (90,147     (2,074,898        (223,445     (4,982,899
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

     (65,186   $ (1,502,403        (112,517   $ (2,469,626
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class A

           

Shares sold

     7,641      $ 180,862           14,359      $ 328,341   

Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions

                      1,055        24,367   

Shares redeemed

     (3,087     (72,181        (3,901     (89,879
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

     4,554      $ 108,681           11,513      $ 262,829   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class C

           

Shares sold

     9,505      $ 203,504           4,491      $ 94,878   

Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions

                      746        15,787   

Shares redeemed

     (1,883     (40,845        (6,005     (127,788
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)

     7,622      $ 162,659           (768   $ (17,123
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class I

           

Shares sold

     7,754      $ 177,206           37,836      $ 875,581   

Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions

                      5,970        136,127   

Shares redeemed

     (984     (22,696        (21,759     (486,274
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

     6,770      $ 154,510           22,047      $ 525,434   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

9. Indemnifications. The Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts. Management has reviewed the Fund’s existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

10. Other Matters. On April 24, 2008, the Adviser entered into a settlement with the SEC to resolve an inquiry regarding prior frequent trading in shares of the GAMCO Global Growth Fund (the “Global Growth Fund”) by one investor who was banned from the Global Growth Fund in August 2002. Under the terms of the settlement, the Adviser, without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings and allegations, paid $16 million (which included a $5 million civil monetary penalty). On the same day, the SEC filed a civil action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Court”) against the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (the “Officer”) of the Adviser, alleging violations of certain federal securities laws arising from the same matter. On May 2, 2014, the SEC filed with the Court a stipulation of voluntary dismissal of the civil action against the Officer, and on June 19, 2014, the Court approved the stipulation and entered an order of dismissal of the action against the Officer. The settlement by the Adviser and the disposition of the action against the Officer did not have a material adverse impact on the Adviser or its ability to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.

11. Subsequent Events. Management has evaluated the impact on the Fund of all subsequent events occurring through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

15


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), contemplates that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), including a majority of the Directors who have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory agreement and are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Board Members”), are required to annually review and re-approve the terms of the Fund’s existing investment advisory agreement and approve any newly proposed terms therein. In this regard, the Board reviewed and re-approved, during the most recent six month period covered by this report, the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Adviser”) for the Fund.

More specifically, at a meeting held on February 26, 2014, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of the Adviser and the re-approval of the Advisory Agreement.

1) The nature, extent, and quality of services provided by the Advisor.

The Board Members reviewed in detail the nature and extent of the services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement and the quality of those services over the past year. The Board Members noted that these services included managing the investment program of the Fund, including the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, as well as the provision of general corporate services. The Board Members considered that the Adviser also provided, at its expense, office facilities for use by the Fund and supervisory personnel responsible for supervising the performance of administrative, accounting, and related services for the Fund, including monitoring to assure compliance with stated investment policies and restrictions under the 1940 Act and related securities regulation. The Board Members noted that, in addition to managing the investment program for the Fund, the Adviser provided certain non-advisory and compliance services, including services for the Fund’s Rule 38a-1 compliance program.

The Board Members also considered that the Adviser paid for all compensation of officers and Board Members of the Fund that are affiliated with the Adviser and that the Adviser further provided services to shareholders of the Fund who had invested through various programs offered by third party financial intermediaries. The Board Members evaluated these factors based on its direct experience with the Adviser and in consultation with Fund Counsel. The Board Members noted that the Adviser had engaged, at its expense, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY”) to assist it in performing certain of its administrative functions. The Board Members concluded that the nature and extent of the services provided was reasonable and appropriate in relation to the advisory fee, that the level of services provided by the Adviser, either directly or through BNY, had not diminished over the past year, and that the quality of service continued to be high.

The Board Members reviewed the personnel responsible for providing services to the Fund and concluded, based on their experience and interaction with the Adviser, that (i) the Adviser was able to retain quality personnel, (ii) the Adviser and its agents exhibited a high level of diligence and attention to detail in carrying out their advisory and administrative responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement, (iii) the Adviser was responsive to requests of the Board, (iv) the scope and depth of the Adviser’s resources was adequate, and (v) the Adviser had kept the Board apprised of developments relating to the Fund and the industry in general. The Board Members also focused on the Adviser’s reputation and long standing relationship with the Fund. The Board Members also believed that the Adviser had devoted substantial resources and made substantial commitments to address new regulatory compliance requirements applicable to the Fund.

 

16


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

2) The performance of the Fund and the Adviser.

The Board Members reviewed the investment performance of the Fund, on an absolute basis, as compared with its Lipper peer group of other SEC registered funds, and against the Fund’s broad based securities market benchmark as reflected in the Fund’s prospectus and annual report. The Board Members considered the Fund’s one, three, five and ten year average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2013, but placed greater emphasis on the Fund’s longer term performance. The peer group considered by the Board Members was developed by Lipper and was comprised of all retail and institutional international large-cap growth funds regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution (the “Performance Peer Group”). The Board Members considered these comparisons helpful in their assessment as to whether the Adviser was obtaining for the Fund’s shareholders the total return performance that was available in the marketplace, given the Fund’s objectives, strategies, limitations, and restrictions. In reviewing the performance of the Fund, the Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was below the median for the one year, three year, and ten year periods and above the median for the five year period. The Board Members concluded that the Fund’s performance was reasonable in comparison with that of the Performance Peer Group.

In connection with its assessment of the performance of the Adviser, the Board Members considered the Adviser’s financial condition and whether it had the resources necessary to continue to carry out its functions under the Advisory Agreement. The Board Members concluded that the Adviser had the financial resources necessary to continue to perform its obligations under the Advisory Agreement and to continue to provide the high quality services that it has provided to the Fund to date.

3) The cost of the advisory services and the profits to the Adviser and its affiliates from the relationship with the Fund.

In connection with the Board Members’ consideration of the cost of the advisory services and the profits to the Adviser and its affiliates from the relationship with the Fund, the Board Members considered a number of factors. First, the Board Members compared the level of the advisory fee for the Fund against comparative Lipper expense peer group (“Expense Peer Group”). The Board Members also considered comparative non-management fee expenses and comparative total fund expenses of the Fund and the Expense Peer Group. The Board Members considered this information as useful in assessing whether the Adviser was providing services at a cost that was competitive with other similar funds. In assessing this information, the Board Members considered both the comparative contract rates as well as the level of the total expense ratio, with respect to the Expense Peer Group. The Board Members noted that the Fund’s advisory fee and expense ratio were higher than average when compared with those of the Expense Peer Group.

The Board Members also reviewed the fees charged by the Adviser to provide similar advisory services to other registered investment companies or accounts with similar investment objectives, noting that the fees charged by the Adviser were the same or lower than the fees charged to the Fund.

The Board Members also considered an analysis prepared by the Adviser of the estimated profitability to the Adviser of its relationship with the Fund and reviewed with the Adviser its cost allocation methodology in connection with its profitability. In this regard, the Board Members reviewed Pro-forma Income Statements of the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2013. The Board Members considered one analysis for the Adviser as a whole, and a second analysis for the Adviser with respect to the Fund. With respect to the Fund analysis, the Board Members received an analysis based on the Fund’s average net assets during the period as well

 

17


GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

as a pro-forma analysis of profitability at higher and lower asset levels. The Board Members concluded that the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser under either analysis was not excessive.

4) The extent to which economies of scale will be realized as the Fund grows and whether fee levels reflect those economies of scale.

With respect to the Board Members’ consideration of economies of scale, the Board Members discussed whether economies of scale would be realized by the Fund at higher asset levels. The Board Members also reviewed data from the Expense Peer Group to assess whether the Expense Peer Group funds had advisory fee breakpoints and, if so, at what asset levels. The Board Members also assessed whether certain of the Adviser’s costs would increase if asset levels rise. The Board Members noted the Fund’s current size and concluded that under foreseeable conditions, they were unable to assess at this time whether economies of scale would be realized if the Fund were to experience significant asset growth. In the event there were to be significant asset growth in the Fund, the Board Members determined to reassess whether the advisory fee appropriately took into account any economies of scale that had been realized as a result of that growth.

5) Other Factors.

In addition to the above factors, the Board Members also discussed other benefits received by the Adviser from their management of the Fund. The Board Members considered that the Adviser does use soft dollars in connection with its management of the Fund.

Based on a consideration of all these factors in their totality, the Board Members, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s advisory fee was fair and reasonable with respect to the quality of services provided and in light of the other factors described above that the Board deemed relevant. Accordingly, the Board Members determined to approve the continuation of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement. The Board Members based their decision on evaluations of all these factors as a whole and did not consider any one factor as all important or controlling.

 

18


GAMCO INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

 

Portfolio Manager Biography

Caesar M. P. Bryan joined GAMCO Asset Management in 1994. He is a member of the global investment team of Gabelli Funds, LLC and portfolio manager of several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Funds Complex. Prior to joining Gabelli, Mr. Bryan was a portfolio manager at Lexington Management. He began his investment career in 1979 at Samuel Montagu Company, the London based merchant bank. Mr. Bryan graduated from the University of Southampton in England with a Bachelor of Law and is a member of the English Bar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have separated the portfolio manager’s commentary from the financial statements and investment portfolio due to corporate governance regulations stipulated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We have done this to ensure that the content of the portfolio manager’s commentary is unrestricted. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolio of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com.


GAMCO INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.

One Corporate Center

Rye, New York 10580-1422

t   800-GABELLI (800-422-3554)

f   914-921-5118

e  info@gabelli.com

    GABELLI.COM

Net Asset Value per share available daily

by calling 800-GABELLI after 7:00 P.M.

 

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS    OFFICERS

 

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Chairman and

Chief Executive Officer,

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

 

Anthony J. Colavita

President,

Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.

 

Werner J. Roeder, MD

Medical Director,

Lawrence Hospital

 

Anthonie C. van Ekris

Chairman,

BALMAC International, Inc.

 

Salvatore J. Zizza

Chairman,

Zizza & Associates Corp.

  

 

Bruce N. Alpert

President

 

Andrea R. Mango

Secretary

 

Agnes Mullady

Treasurer

 

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance Officer

 

DISTRIBUTOR

 

G.distributors, LLC

 

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER

AGENT, AND DIVIDEND

DISBURSING AGENT

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

Paul Hastings LLP

 

 

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAB009Q214SR

LOGO

 


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a) Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.


Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a)

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

  (b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

  (a)(1)

Not applicable.

 

  (a)(2)

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

  (a)(3)

Not applicable.

 

  (b)    

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(Registrant)  

    GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.

By (Signature and Title)*  

  /s/ Bruce N. Alpert

        Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer
Date  

    9/02/2014

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By (Signature and Title)*  

  /s/ Bruce N. Alpert

        Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer
Date  

    9/02/2014

By (Signature and Title)*  

  /s/ Agnes Mullady

        Agnes Mullady, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer
Date  

    9/02/2014

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.